falta grave
/falta ɡɾabe/from spelling rules
The English phrase gross misconduct is translated into Spanish as falta grave.
This phrase refers to a serious breach of workplace rules or professional conduct that can justify immediate dismissal.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of falta (meaning fault, offense or lack) and grave (meaning serious or grave).
Which one should you use?
While falta grave is the standard term, you may use falta leve to describe minor misconduct that does not warrant immediate dismissal. To express the concept in a more formal manner, you can use Conducta Inapropiada Grave or Infracción Grave.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the plural form to refer to multiple serious offenses, both the noun and the adjective must be pluralized as faltas graves.
How do you pronounce it?
/falta ɡɾabe/
Did you know?
- In Spanish sports, the same word used for misconduct, falta, is the standard term for a 'foul'.
- The word falta is used both to describe a 'mistake' and the total 'lack' or 'absence' of something.
- While it now means 'serious', the word grave is inherited from the Latin 'gravis', which literally meant 'heavy'.
Examples in context
- El empleado ha sido acusado de conducta inapropiada grave en el lugar de trabajo.The employee has been accused of gross misconduct in the workplace.
- No puedo creer la falta grave que cometiste en la reunión. ¡Es inaceptable!I can't believe the gross misconduct you committed in the meeting. It's unacceptable!
- No toleramos ninguna falta grave en esta empresa.We do not tolerate any gross misconduct in this company.
- Su despido se debió a una falta grave.His dismissal was due to gross misconduct.
Example conversation
A manager is talking to an employee about a serious incident.
- MaríaMateo, tu acción de ayer fue una falta grave.Mateo, your action yesterday was gross misconduct.
- MateoLo siento, María, no fue mi intención.I'm sorry, María, it wasn't my intention.
- MaríaAun así, esto justifica un despido inmediato.Even so, this justifies immediate dismissal.
- MateoEntiendo, acepto mi responsabilidad.I understand, I accept my responsibility.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries falta, grave, CC BY-SA 4.0.
